Standart of Taste (Hume)
Is there, according to David Hume, a standard of taste, such that the aesthetic judgments based on it can make justified claims to be right or adequate to their object? If so, which standard is it? How does Hume justify his answers to these questions? Answer these three questions by articulating his account of aesthetics judgement and taste that he develops in his essay “Of the Standard of Taste”. Finally, discuss whether or not aesthetic taste is a matter of education and, accordingly, of class membership, according to this account.
Sample Solution
Is aesthetic judgment possible? That question that everyone will come up with different answer to with reasons. David Hume, a philosopher argue that aesthetic judgment is possible in his book “The Standard of Taste.” He uses taste to determine whether judgment is possible. The general principles of taste are uniform in human nature: where men vary in their judgments, some defect or perversion in the faculties may commonly be remarked; proceeding either from prejudice, from want of practice, or want of delicacy, and there is just reason for approving one taste, and condemning another. Moral and aesthetic judgments have practical consequences that mere reason lacks.
